Christantus Uche Ignites Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
